With 500,000 people signing up for Veganuary 2021, up from only 250,000 in 2019, the vegan lifestyle is clearly on the rise. We’re answering some key questions on vegan beauty and, if you’re looking for some vegan-friendly products to spruce up your makeup and skincare routine, we have the top 10 vegan friendly beauty Products to get you started!
What makes a Beauty Product ‘Vegan’?
In short, a beauty product can be labelled ‘vegan’ when it doesn’t contain any animal ingredients or animal by-products. Vegan products will be free of traditional cosmetic ingredients like beeswax, gelatin, collagen, or honey, as all of these are animal by-products. It’s important to note that just because a product is labelled vegan, doesn’t mean it is necessarily cruelty-free. A product may be vegan but tested on animals (seems counter-productive, I know), so be sure to look for one of these logos to ensure your product is cruelty-free. All the items on our recommendations list are vegan AND cruelty-free, so you can rest easy knowing that your makeup is ethically sourced and tested!
Do Vegan Ingredients Change a Product’s Formula?
There is an old-fashioned misconception that eco-friendly beauty products lack staying power or extensive shade ranges, but this is not the case anymore. Nowadays, beauty brands are able to find really good substitutes for animal by-products like beeswax, so you shouldn’t notice a difference in the products you’re using. It’s very likely that you already own a vegan beauty product that you didn’t even realise was vegan; there is no reason that eco-friendly products can’t be just as good as everything else in your makeup bag.
Are Vegan Products More Expensive?
Veganism is often presented as an expensive lifestyle choice that is limited to those privileged enough to spend time in the kitchen labouring over a tray full of root vegetables for hours. However, recent studies have shown veganism is actually a cheaper dietary option than most others, mainly due to meat being the most expensive portion of a weekly shop. Similarly, vegan cosmetics do not present a huge budget increase; many cheaper makeup brands like Elf, NYX, and Barry M, offer loads of vegan products at a low price.
Top 10 Vegan Beauty Recommendations
Garnier Ultimate Blends Hair Food
Hair feeling heat-damaged and lifeless? The Hair Food range from Garnier is the way to replenish and revive your locks. These treatments use natural ingredients like papaya, coconut, or aloe vera to repair and condition hair, and even better, they’re entirely vegan and 96% biodegradable. They smell insanely good and at just £6.99, you can save the planet, save your hair and save yourself some money at the same time.
Barry M Chisel Cheeks Contour Highlighting Creams
Barry M has been cruelty-free since 1982, and its entire product range is 100% vegan! To achieve the perfectly snatched contour, snap up their Chisel Cheeks Contour Creams. With these two blendable cream sticks, you can lighten dark circles and carve out sharp cheekbones with ease, all for just £7.99!
The Ordinary AHA+BHA Peeling Solution
The Ordinary has developed a cult following in the beauty world for their high-quality skin treatments, including their holy grail Niacinamide Solution and Multi-Peptide Hair Serum. For this list, we’ve picked out their AHA+BHA Peeling Solution. Since this exfoliant went viral on TikTok a few months ago, it’s been flying off the shelves faster than any of their other products. All of the products from The Ordinary are vegan and cruelty-free, plus most of their products come in at under £10.
A true makeup artist is nothing without high-quality tools. Spectrum has been cruelty-free and vegan since the brand’s conception, and they pride themselves on being PETA and Vegan Society registered. Their ranges include some of the best value makeup tools on the market, including their Wonder Sponge. For best results, dampen with cold water, then bounce cream products against skin with the sponge to achieve a flawless base.
The Body Shop Mango Body Yoghurt
The Body Shop has been in the ethical beauty game since the 1970s, and its products have always been cruelty-free and all-natural. Not all of their products are vegan yet, but their Mango Body Yoghurt is, and it smells amazing too. This body butter uses Fair Trade organic almond milk from Spain, so your purchase will do good for your skin and for communities around the world too!
Lip balms are a fundamental part of any beauty routine, but you would be surprised how many popular lip care brands are not vegan. Carmex, Nivea, Blistex; none of these brands can count themselves as vegan, and some of them aren’t even cruelty-free. An excellent alternative to these brands is Dr PawPaw. This all-natural, vegan, and cruelty-free company offers affordable multi-purpose balms to nourish and hydrate your lips. They have developed a cult-like following and, with over 50 global beauty awards won over the past few years, it’s easy to see why.
NYX Cosmic Metals Shadow Palette
NYX is known for offering high-quality, pigmented products at a high-street price. Famed for their collabs with Princess Nokia and iconic drag queen Aquaria, NYX delivers on quality and value for money and, as an added bonus, they offer loads of vegan formula makeup! For Autumn, test out the Cosmic Metals Shadow Palette. It features six wearable but edgy neutrals, perfect for the upcoming darker nights.
On those days when your hair is just falling flat and you can’t bring yourself to wash and restyle, dry shampoo is an absolute must. Unfortunately, Batiste is not cruelty-free and, even though some of its products are cruelty-free, we can certainly offer a more ethical alternative. Colab Dry Shampoo offers instant oil absorption without any chalky residue, and leaves a gorgeous bergamot and rose scent. At just £3.49, it comes in as cheaper than Batiste too – what’s not to like?
For unbeatable length and volume, Collection’s Lash Surge Mascara is one of the best vegan options on the market. This is the perfect choice for anyone not blessed with long lashes since with just a few coats, each lash will be instantly coated and lifted. So many of Collection’s other products are vegan and so affordable; you won’t need to look any further for an entirely new vegan makeup kit.
As winter sets in, now is the perfect time to invest in a gradual self-tanner to keep your summer glow going through these dark months. There are plenty of vegan self-tanners available, including the entire Skinny Tan range, but for the most budget-friendly option, Isle of Paradise is the clear choice. They have an amazing colour range, and none of their lines contains any animal by-products. If you aren’t sure what’s right for you, be sure to pop the Glow Baby Glow kit on your Christmas list to test out a few of their best products!
Depop
Ideal for: trendy statement pieces
Depop is one of the most popular choices when it comes to buying and selling old clothing, shoes, and accessories. Whether you’re looking for the latest pair of Nikes on resale, some vintage Prada, or the 90s comeback pieces you’ve seen on your Instagram feed, Depop has so much to offer.
Depop works primarily as a mobile app, so signing up only requires a phone number. From here, simply create your username and a whole world of vintage fashion is yours! You can enter your sizes and clothing preferences, follow other users, and search for specific items.
Unsure about a seller? Check their ratings to see if they are reliable and trustworthy. In a worst-case scenario, you’ll be covered by Depop’s Buyer Protection to ensure you receive a full refund if your item does not arrive or is not as described. If you’re looking to start making money off clothes you don’t wear anymore, you can start selling straight away by simply uploading a few photos and describing your items.
If you’re still unsure, check out this roundup of the best Depop sellers to convince you to pull out your phone and get shopping now!
Vinted
Ideal for: wardrobe staples
Vinted already has over 45 million members buying and selling their pre-loved items. Similar to Depop, you can get started straight away by signing up and listing your items with no selling fees or strings attached. On Vinted, you can bag so many high-quality items – Ralph Lauren, Nike and Levis can be all found at an amazing price simply because people want to refresh their own wardrobes.
Vinted is super user-friendly – with their website and app, you’ll be able to keep an eye on your sales and purchases wherever you are. The only slight downside is that, as a seller, you don’t get paid until your item is received and checked by your buyer. However, if you’re willing to be patient, this shouldn’t present any problems. Plus, as a buyer, you will benefit from this system, since your money is protected until you say you’re satisfied with your purchase.
Facebook Marketplace
Ideal for: fresh furniture
Facebook Marketplace is often overlooked, but it’s an excellent way to spot great local bargains near you, particularly if you’re on the lookout for homeware or furniture. If you’re on the hunt for a great restoration or DIY project, Facebook Marketplace should be your first stop.
Using your Facebook account, you can explore Marketplace easily as a buyer – message people to haggle prices, ask questions or organise collections. A lot of the time, people are even looking to get rid of items for free as long as you’re willing to collect it. If you wish to list your own items, all it takes is a few quick photos and a product description to get started. You can stay local and make money off your items!
eBay
Ideal for: unique gems
The old reliable eBay still holds its place as one of the biggest clothing resellers, with 159 million worldwide users currently active. On eBay, the feature of bidding on items is unique and can allow you to get a bargain that you never anticipated.
eBay is perfect for the niche collectible that you’ve spent years scouring charity shops for – specific editions of books, a limited release vinyl that you never thought you’d be able to bag; they can all be yours!
However, when it comes to fashion picks, bear in mind that eBay does not have an authentication team like Depop or other fashion reseller websites do. This means that designer fakes and imitations are far more widespread, so always exercise caution when purchasing. Sometimes, if it seems far too good to be true, it is!
Charity Shopping
Ideal for: anything and everything
The traditional method of bagging a vintage bargain at your local Age UK, Cancer Research, or Mind charity shop is still just as good as all these trendy apps and websites! You can find so many amazing and unique fashion bargains in your high street charity shop, and they’re often cheaper than you may find them on Depop or Vinted.
When it comes to charity shopping, it’s key to get to know your way around. Some charity shops in certain areas have amazing finds. Or, if they do restocks on certain days of the week, getting there at the right time means the best finds can be yours.
Furthermore, certain fashion brands partner with charities to supply them with old stock. So, if you are a fan of Zara or H&M clothing, head to your nearest British Red Cross to get some amazing high-street pieces at a fraction of the price!
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- Ask at Counters
There is always a surplus of freebies at beauty counters in any department store or large high street chemist. Skincare brands in particular often offer loads of samples to entice you to purchase more products; Clinique offers free 10-day foundation samples so you can test out the right shade for you, and Clarins is known for always having stacks of freebies on offer at their beauty counters!
The best way to find out what is on offer is to ask anyone at the beauty counters. They’ll often have no issue giving you some freebies to take home. The old saying is true – if you don’t ask, you don’t get!
- Sign up for Free Beauty Product Testing Panels
So many beauty brands offer product testing panels as a way of spreading awareness about new product lines and receiving useful feedback from consumers. Boots, Avant, and ThisWorks are just some of the many brands with active testing panels that recruit people across the UK to test out their products for free. Even better than just receiving samples, a lot of companies will send you full-sized products that you can keep after you have given your feedback!
When you sign up for these panels, you will have to agree to give feedback in the form of surveys or reviews, but this seems a fair exchange in order to receive beauty products at no cost!
- Grab a Freebie before you check out
Many beauty brands and retailers offer free samples as treats for purchasing through them. You might be hesitant to give this a try because you have to purchase something first, but pause and think of how much you spend on the essential toiletries on a monthly basis? Maybe you buy all your shower gels, deodorants, or razors at the supermarket, but if you purchase on a website like Look Fantastic you can get a free sample at the same time!
When you spend £45 or more, you qualify for a free sample of your choice at checkout. It may seem like a lot, but once you start to add up the cost of all the bathroom essentials for a family, it is easy to reach! If you can afford to buy in bulk, it’s a great way to stock up on essentials and pick up some beauty freebies too.
- Reach out to your Favourite Brands
Almost every beauty brand nowadays has an Instagram, Facebook and Twitter profile, so don’t hesitate to reach out and let them know that you’re a fan of their products! You can then ask if they have any freebies or samples they would be able to send you. It is good to let them know that you are always willing to post about brands you love on your social media account – this way the company gets free promotion and you might get some free samples!
- Be on the Lookout for SoPosts
SoPost is a company that focuses on delivering free samples to your door from major brands like L’Oréal, Yves Saint Laurent, and Jo Malone. There are no strings attached – no need to create a complicated account, fill in long forms or pay delivery fees; they really do offer free samples for everyone.
However, SoPosts can be tricky because they are often promoted on web pages as adverts like the one seen below, which you could easily never stumble upon. This is where websites like LatestFreeStuff.co.uk come in handy. With so many freebie-hunters in the LFS community, webpages featuring SoPosts are often found and quickly shared around so everyone can get a free sample.
By signing up to receive notifications from LFS, you will be the first to hear about the best SoPosts available, so you’ll never miss out on a free sample again!
]]>Sign up to these, and you could be testing and keeping full-size products from luxury brands – some of them which won’t even be available to the public yet! All they ask for in return is your feedback, it really is as simple as that.
Here are the top 10 beauty product testing sites:
1) Elemis Review Panel
If you’re one of the lucky ones to get chosen to be a part of Elemis’s review panel, you’re in for an absolute treat. They’re one of the most sought after beauty brands with a price tag to match, so if you can get their products for free – why not?
2) Boots Volunteer Panel
Have you always wanted to try Boot’s best products, but for free? Then sign up to become a volunteer on their product testing panel. They open up testing every 3-4 months and we managed to get in when they opened it. Once you are in you’ll get access to lots of amazing free product testing opportunities.
3) Debenhams Beauty Club
Sign up to be a Debenhams Beauty Club Cardholder and you will be able to join their product testing community by heading to the ‘New on You’ section. Here, you find posts advertising product tests for exciting new products as well as old favourites
4) Home Tester Club
While not a product testing website just for beauty, Home Tester Club offer products from Tefal frying pans to Nivea gift sets and more for you to try and review. Just sign up for an account then register for the products that you’re interested in.
5) First Beauty
One of the newest beauty websites to join the game, First Beauty offer exciting beauty trials where you can test and keep their new products.
6) Savvy Circle
SuperSavvyMe have their own product testing community, called the Savvy Circle. Sign up and you could try all sorts of things, beauty or otherwise. You’ll see from the photo below what kind of products will arrive. They normally send quite big bundles so you will like this free beauty product testing panel.
7) Life Points
Head over to LifePoints for the chance to test all kinds of products and get rewarded in vouchers to spend at your favourite retailers, such as ASOS, Amazon, Starbucks and more. We’ve received lots of free products over the years.
8) Mingle Beauty Product Testing
Register for free with Mingle and you could answer surveys or test products in return for rewards! This means you could not only get products for free in return for feedback, but you would also get rewarded for doing so, for example we’ve received £5 vouchers with our tests.
9) Pinecone Research – Free Beauty Product Testing
Sign up for free today to Pinecone Research and they’ll send you free products to test directly to your home. They have lots of regular beauty brands who ask their members to test for free. Plus they’ll even pay you up to £3 for each beauty product testing that you complete! So make sure you join this one today!
10) Glamour Beauty Club
Glamour Beauty Club are a new site where you join and set up a profile and they will send you beauty products to test and review based on your profile. They will hand pick products depending on what products you are looking to try. We’ve received lots of products in the last year so it’s definitely worth signing up to it!
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If, like us, you absolutely love a bargain – then welcome to your new favourite day of the year; Black Friday. Many UK stores now participate, but the best place to get the juiciest deals is by using Amazon Prime. They run Black Friday not for just one day, but for a whole week from 22nd – 29th November. If you don’t have a subscription, don’t worry as you can still get those mighty bargains with a free 30-trial here. If you’re a student, you can even get a gobsmacking 6 month free trial here. To help you get the most of this Black Friday, here are the best black Friday beauty bargains available right now.
NIP+FAB Glycolic Bundle, £14.89 (RRP £32.85)
We LOVE Nip+Fab – especially their glycolic products. The acid exfoliation helps boost your skin’s radiance for a gorgeous, healthy complexion. We can’t tell you enough how smooth your skin feels after just one week of use, so find out for your self with a whopping 55% off this whole bundle,
30% off Burt’s Bees Products
You can grab a generous 30% off loads of Burt’s Bees products this Black Friday! Treat yourself to one of their iconic lip balms (peppermint, please!), their nourishing hand creams, body lotions and so much more. Their intensely nourishing, earth-friendly products will make great presents for your loved ones or for yourself!
Max Factor Icons Gift Set, £19.99 (RRP £29.93)
Claim 33% off a Max Factor gift set, which contains their most iconic, best-selling products. This includes their Rise & Shine mascara (which is infused with proteins and vitamin E to keep your lashes nice and healthy), glide-on precision liquid eyeliner, creme blush, lip stain and a fantastic topcoat. Everything you need for the perfect Christmas party look.
Vera Wang Princess Gift Set, £23.99 (RRP £39.92)
This would make the perfect Christmas gift for any princesses you may know. It includes an eau de toilette and a body spray that have notes of amber and vanilla while also being exotically fruity and floral. This playful scent is both timeless yet modern and will be adored anyone lucky enough to gifted it.
Elemis Superfood Delicious Delights, £38.25 (RRP £45)
All hail Elemis, 0ne of our absolute favourite beauty brands. Get an enticing 15% off their Superfood bundle and treat your skin with their nourishing face wash, revitalising facial scrub and award-winning superfood facial oil. Your skin will thank you later.
Enjoy! And remember, if you don’t have Amazon Prime, you can get a 30 day free trial here and if you’re a student you can even get a 6 month free trial here.
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There’s nothing better than a bit of family time. But rather than sit around the telly, watching in silence, why not play a fun little board game to keep you all entertained? It’s a great way to bond and have a great laugh together.
1. Cranium, £19.79
Fun for the whole family, Cranium combines brains with creativity. One team chooses a card from the category that matches their space on the board (either Creative Cat, Star Performer, Word Worm or Data Head) and has to successfully complete the task before the timer runs out!
2. Smart Ass, £12.99
This game consists of asking ‘who, what and where’ questions and any person is allowed to shout out the answer. But be careful – if you get it wrong when you shout it out, you can’t answer again! Whoever wins takes their turn next, so if you keep getting them wrong you could be stuck behind!
3. Absolute Balderdash, £17.98
In this hilarious bluffing game you try to make your opponents believe your made up answers to amusing questions about events, initials, people, laws and more. You’ll be crying with laughter at the end of each game!
Absolute Balderdash, £17.98 from Amazon
4. Pictionary, £20.99
This classic quick-draw game has been around since the 80s, but has lost little of its charm since. With each card you pick up you have to draw something so that your teammates can guess it. It’s basically like charades but for drawing. And don’t worry if you’re bad at drawing – that’s half the fun!
Pictionary, £20.99 from Amazon
5. Articulate for Kids, £15.99
This is truly the best fast-talking description game. 2,000 topics have been chosen by an educational specialist so that children can enjoy this while also learning! And did we mention it’s super fun too? Oh? Well it really is!
Articulate for Kids, £15.99 from Amazon
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]]>Just head to this Amazon page, find the 99p for Echo dot 3rd gen and then signup to the £7.99 for 1 month Amazon music unlimited, so a total of £8.98 for Prime customers. If you’re a non-prime customer the total will be £10.98 plus £4.49 delivery. Eligible customers are new Amazon Music Unlimited customers. Offer is showing on all colours, including charcoal fabric, heather grey fabric, plum fabric and sandstone fabric.
We’ve tried the offer and it worked for us!
Update – Sorry this is expired now.
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We brits LOVE a holiday, don’t we? But we don’t always love the price tag that comes with it… So, just for you, we’ve created this guide on how to save money on your holiday.
Use cashback websites
Save money by using cashback websites, such as TopCashback. Head to their travel section and you’ll find that you can get cashback on accommodation, flights, trains and insurance with Booking.com, Hotels.com, Skyscanner and more. You can get this cashback deposited right into your bank account or take it out as a voucher to use on more travel!
Jack’s Flight Club
If you haven’t heard of it already, sign up now. Jack’s Flight Club was started by Jack, a guy who is just really, really good at finding cheap flights and has decided to share his unique talent with the world. You can get these offers via email – just sign up to his free (yes you read that right, free) newsletters by entering your email into his website. If you’re really impressed, you can sign up to his membership for just £12 for months (£19 for 6 months or £35 for a year) – which is totally worth it.
Collect and use air miles
Another fantastic way to cut costs is to use air miles. If you’ve been lucky enough to go on enough flights that you’ve built up your air miles, you can use these to get discounted or even completely free tickets, depending on how many you’ve saved.
Tesco Clubcard rewards
Use your Tesco Clubcard at every purchase you make there and you will gradually build up enough reward points to withdraw vouchers. Use these to save money on your holiday – for example, you can get British Airways Avios air miles points as well as vouchers for accommodation and cruises. They have a whole section devoted to travel vouchers, just check them out here.
Compare travel insurance plans
I hope you’re not planning on going away without travel insurance, are you? It’s not just for your belongings – if you choose the right one you will be covered for certain medical procedures and repatriation, which, although you may not be worrying about now, are extremely important in case of an accident. Use comparison websites, like Compare the Market, to compare the best value for money travel insurance offers.
No fees abroad with Starling Bank
Did you know that Starling offer no fees for spending abroad? They also offer fantastic exchange rates and 24/7 customer service. In addition, it’s easy to split the cost of holiday spending with your travel buddy, as they have an easy to use ‘split’ function in their app.
That’s it for now – hope you enjoy your discounted holibobs!
Gosh – it’s getting pretty chilly out, isn’t it? To keep you warm if you’re pinching pennies, here are our top 5 affordable winter coats. As the cold weather approaches, you might be thinking about expanding your wardrobe to include some stylish and cosy winter jackets. You don’t have to sacrifice your style in order to save – we’ve got these great recommendations for you to browse today!
1. Dark Green Faux Fur Longline Coat, New look, £45.99
This dark green faux fur coat from New Look looks like the warmest thing on earth! You’ll never be cold again with this lovely thing wrapped around you all winter. It’s so versatile – dress it up with a jumpsuit and heels, or go casual with some trousers and a cute top for a chilled day out. Plus, at a bargain price of just £45.99 for such a beauty, you won’t be out of pocket either.
Dark Green Faux Fur Longline Coat, New look, £45.99
2. ASOS DESIGN Parka with Detachable Faux Fur Liner, Asos, £70
Stand out with this stunning pink parka for £70. It has everything you need – style, warmth and lots of pockets. This classic fit coat will suit just about anybody, and let’s be honest; parkas never go out of style so you’ll have this number for many years to come.
ASOS DESIGN Parka with Detachable Faux Fur Liner, Asos, £70
3. Funnel Neck Pocket Detail Puffer, Boohoo, £22
Look chic with this LBD of the coat world – everyone needs one. It looks great with jeans and trainers while also looking oh-so-fabulous with a dress and boots. Warm and cosy, it also has room for warm jumpers inside for extra snugness.
Funnel Neck Pocket Detail Puffer, Boohoo, £22 (on sale – usually £55)
4. Khaki Faux Fur Hood Belted Puffer Coat, River island, £60
This parka-puffa jacket hybrid is hot – in both senses of the word. Warm and cosy while also being hot to trot, this fabulous coat will see you through winter and back again. You can also detach the fur trim so that you can wear it in autumn and early spring.
Khaki Faux Fur Hood Belted Puffer Coat, River island, £60 (on sale – usually £85)
5. Quilted Parka Coat, Monki, £60
We are in love with this coat – it’s like a duvet that you can wear out the house! It’s oversized, meaning you can fit lots of lovely, warm jumpers inside without looking like a stuffed olive. It’s black, which, of course, goes with everything so whatever your outfit, you’re covered (literally).
Autumn has fallen upon us, as has soup season – those warm, delicious bowls of joy that we all look forward to every year. And we’re here to prove that you can make those oh-so wholesome soups even when you’re on the teeniest of budgets.
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Leek and Potato Soup
So simple, yet so delicious. Leek and potato flavour is one of our favourite soups, as you only need about 5 core ingredients and it’s close to impossible to get it wrong.
Serves 6
Ingredients:
1 knob of butter
1 white onion, sliced
300g of potatoes, cubed
3 leeks, sliced,
1L of vegetable or chicken stock
200 milk
Salt and black pepper
To serve
Double cream or creme fraiche, if desired
Method
– Put the butter in a pan then wait until melted. Then add the onion, leek and potato, season well with salt and black pepper, and cover for 15 minutes.
– After that, add the stock and milk, cover and let simmer for another 20 minutes or until vegetables are soft.
– Now, with a potato masher, mash the ingredients into the soup until not quite smooth with a few lumps. If you like a smoother soup, you can choose to liquidate it with a blender.
– Add a swirl of cream or crème fraîche before serving.
2. Pumpkin Soup
Pumpkins aren’t just for Halloween – they’re also brilliant in soups! Filled with lots of fantastic vitamins, this soup is both healthy and tasty.
Serves 4-6
Ingredients:
2 tbsp olive oil
2 white onions, finely chopped
1kg of pumpkin, deseeded and chopped into chunks
650ml vegetable stock
140ml double cream
Best served with fresh crusty bread or croutons
Method:
– Heat the olive oil in a large pan and gently cook the onions for about 5 minutes, until nice and soft but not coloured.
– Then, add the pumpkin to the pan and carry on cooking for around 8-10 minutes. Stir it occasionally, waiting until it starts to turn soft and golden.
– After that, pour all of the vegetable stock into the pan and season with salt and pepper to taste. Bring it to the boil and simmer it for 10 minutes – until the pumpkin is very soft.
– Pour in the cream, bring it back to the boil, then grab a hand blender and puree it. If you like your soup very smooth you can pour the soup through a fine sieve.
– Serve hot with crusty bread or croutons!
3. Simple Chicken Soup
Simple – yet delicious, this hearty chicken soup is enough to warm anybody’s cockles.
Ingredients:
2 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
Italian seasoning
60g Chicken thighs
140g Spinach
400g Fire-roasted tomatoes
250g Spiral pasta
500 Chicken stock
1 Lemon
Salt and pepper
Parmesan (for garnish)
– Start off by seasoning the chicken thighs with the Italian seasoning, adding a pinch of salt.
– Then heat the oil in a large pot over a medium-high heat and sear the thighs for five minutes on both sides.
– Pour in the chicken stock, tomatoes and pasta. Bring it to the boil and simmer for 10 minutes – until the pasta is al dente.
– Take out the thighs with tongs and shred them, then put them back in the pot. Wilt the spinach directly in the pot and squeeze the whole lemon in, too. Seasons to taste then serve – garnished with grated parmesan.
(Recipe from Bev Cooks)
4. Tomato and red pepper soup
Mmmmm-mh! Who doesn’t love a big, hot bowl of tomato and red pepper soup?! Super simple and easy to make, while still being tantalisingly tasty.
Ingredients:
2 tbsp olive oil
1 onion, chopped
2 large red peppers, seeds removed and roughly chopped
2 cloves garlic, chopped
600g ripe tomatoes, quartered
1 x 400g tin chopped tomatoes
1l chicken stock or vegetable stock
1 tbsp chopped fresh basil, to garnish
Extra virgin olive oil, to garnish
Method:
– Begin by heating the olive oil in a large saucepan, then saute the onions, peppers and garlic for five minutes.
– Add in the fresh tomatoes then cook them for 3 to 4 minutes.
– Then pour in the tinned tomatoes, the stock and 250ml of water. Bring this to the boil, reduce the heat and simmer it for around 30 mins.
– After, remove the saucepan from the heat and allow it to cool for a few minutes. Then, puree the mixture with a hand blender, strain it through a sieve and then, if desired, add a little stock.
– To finish, season to taste with salt and pepper, then serve, garnished with basil and a lovely drizzle of extra virgin olive oil – delicious.
5. Lentil and Bacon soup
Incredibly tasty and packed full of healthy fibre, this soup has it all.
Ingredients:
1 tbsp olive oil
1 onion, diced
2 x 70g packs pancetta cubes
1 carrot (about 120g), finely diced
1 tsp ground cumin
½ tsp turmeric
2 garlic cloves, finely chopped
1 chilli, sliced
2 low-salt stock cubes
250g red lentils, rinsed
Method:
– Heat the olive oil in a large saucepan, then put in the onion, one of the packs of pancetta and the carrot. Cook this on a low to medium heat, stirring occasionally, for 10 minutes or until the onions are quite soft.
– After that, add the cumin, turmeric, garlic and chilli and cook for a further 1 or 2 mins.
– Pour in 1.25 litres of boiling water, crumble in the stock cubes and add the lentils. Bring to a simmer and cook for 20 mins, stirring occasionally to ensure the lentils aren’t sticking.
– Meanwhile, fry the other packet of lardons in a small frying pan for about 10 mins until nice and crispy. You don’t need to add any oil as plenty will run from the pancetta.
– Serve the soup with a sprinkle of crispy lardons on top.